How long have you worked at your current job?

DuckDogDr

I seem to get “Frustrated “ after about 3 years and start getting ready to move jobs… I feel like unfortunately talking with classmates that is the norm now to bounce from A to B to Z… there’s no real chance to advance within a workplace unless you swap jobs / companies completely.

On one hand I’m jealous of my dad and Buddy’s dads that have worked for the same companies for 30+ years… I feel there has to be some reward in there somewhere … but on the other hand I feel like they wasted that time in not owning their own businesses.. . Helping someone else reap the benefits of their work ..

Im torn as recent (within the past 36 hours recent) turn of events at work. Have really made me question why I’m not figuring out a way to go in business for myself .
Even before events unfolded.. I have been questioning how much longer I see myself at my current job. My girlfriend even notices a change in my demeanor about 12 hours before my shifts start.. and I’m thinking recent events are a sign it’s time for me to leave

Ozzie_Isaac

About every 5 I get super restless.  I have been at my current job for 5 years.  My record in a job is 10 years, and that was about 3 too long.

RajunCajun

Coming up on 33 for me.  It took me 25yrs to realize that there is no perfect job, self employed or otherwise.  Good luck!

Langner91

My first job lasted 15 years.  I progressed from entry level Manufacturing Engineer to Production Planning Manager, Plant Manager, and finally VP of Engineering.  At that point, I knew there was nowhere to go. They thought I would just be happy forever.

I joined this company 13 years ago.  I started as Quality Engineer (quite a step back from my previous position, but only a small pay-cut).  I quickly progressed to Director of Engineering and Quality with responsibility over four plants in three countries.  Best decision I ever made.

This company understands that there is nowhere for me to go, so they keep throwing stock, money, and bonus opportunity at me to keep me on-board.  Each time, I have to agree to 2 more years.

Basically, I would be gone if they weren't making it worth my time to stay.  I'm not afraid to take a step back in pay for the right opportunity.

I say if they aren't making it hard to leave, they are making it hard to stay.

Legume

Same company for 19 years, third job.

Battleborn

4 years currently. I grew up in my adult life in the military, so I get the urge to change things up every 3-4 years. Luckily, I absolutely love what I do, so my change now is looking at different areas within the job. I am starting to get that itch again because I am getting comfortable. Time to look at a different area of the city to police. 

lkapigian

Same trade 42 years , current job 27 years

dbCooper

20, then 5, then 11, then done.  Those first 20 were very pleasurable.  The 5 were ok.  Last six months of the 11 were horrible, so I left.

@DuckDogDr

I've seen several posts from you as regards your work environment.  Big time stress, unfairness and unhappiness are my takeaways.  Stress can literally be a killer.  Time to move on in my opinion.

nolaegghead

Same trade 35 years, same company 31 in Feb.  I've got the itch bad to quit and make stuff in my shop...but then again, I'm making hay while the sun is shining.

JRWhitee

6 at my current job, 25 at the previous one.

TEXASBGE2018

Current 1 year. Prior company to this one 9 years and 4 different jobs. So I'd say my typical tenure for a job is a couple years but honestly that's not intentional. Previous company I got promoted 3 times. I prefer stability but looking at it from an outside perspective it appears I don't. Weird never thought about it...

JohnInCarolina

Define “work”

nolaegghead

JohnInCarolina said:

Define “work”

Getting paid

JohnInCarolina

nolaegghead said:

JohnInCarolina said:

Define “work”

Getting paid

Well I get paid to be a porn star too, but that hardly seems like work.  Know what I mean?

bucky925

I put in 34 years with a class 1 freight railroad.   Every 8 - 10 years I would get bored and find something else to do within the company.    Mrs Bucky did 30 years as a educator.  
We do not miss it at all!

Wolfpack

To play the antagonist, my buddy has been married 3 times- at some point some self reflection is worthwhile. 

kl8ton

8
13
2 on current

alaskanassasin

Life is short man. Take charge of it man.

keener75

23 yrs (half my life) with my current employer and have been feeling under appreciated for the last 3 or 4. The pandemic has held me back from exploring new avenues due to guilt as I've become friends with the owners (play hockey together, Grey Cup parties, ect). I just don't know what else I would do? 
I joke about quitting and opening a food truck business and everyone starts acting nervous...like I'm serious.
Kinda stuck in a rut. Nice to know I'm not the only one.

Gulfcoastguy

I worked 34 years at my last job before I called it quits. It was definitely time to go but I stayed to max out a pension. 

Ike

JohnInCarolina said:

Define “work”

Having to roll your arse out of bed whether you feel like it or not

RRP

At my age of 77 I’m probably one of the older, if not oldest eggers who may reply to you, but here goes…

Fresh out of college…3 Years in public accounting

then in my chosen career at a new employer for 5 years

then with a new employer and as a rising survivor thru 2 mergers and 1 further killer acquisition added 17 more years.

By then the “fun” was too cut throat and I bailed and needed 2 years to unscramble my brain! 

Then I added 11 more years in the public sector before bailing at age 60 and I have NEVER looked back!

I now believe that adage that life is no dress rehearsal and regardless how you and your spouse plan and save for your retirement years that life can cut it all short in a heartbeat.

shtgunal3

Been with current employer for 22 years. Have held 6 different positions 3 were promotions.

JNDATHP

Self employed for 41 years. I keep working because I like to work and if I didn’t I would become a couch potato. Every day is a new day!

ColbyLang

Have been working for the family business for 22 years. I turn 40 this month, I also become a business owner this month.

 As others have said, this isn’t your first admission of stress and/or wanting out. Maybe it’s best to walk away before it start affecting your health

bluebird66

29 years

ryantt

I was changing every few years for a long time right out of school, then I settled into a large hospital system for the last 14yrs.   Woke up one day at the beginning of October and decided time to go. 

You  know when it’s time to move on, this time it wasn’t about money, vacation time or any of the other million reasons people leave…it was about getting back to doing the work that makes a difference.  

MJG

Did 25 years at a large financial services firm working in IT. Went there straight out of grad school, got plenty of promotions, and jumped at the opportunity to take an early retirement. I’ve had the past 6 months off but took a mentoring/volunteer gig in part to keep busy. I am starting to look for a new gig now.  My next gig will be much different. 

lkapigian

alaskanassasin said:

Life is short man. Take charge of it man.

Yes sir! Everyone dies, but not everyone really lives !

just do it, no regerts 

Acn

First real job I was at for about 5 years, left because we had moved for SWMBO’s job (she was fiancée at the time) and the commute was too much.  Two brief sojourns, 8 months as a teacher, 3 weeks at a different agency.  Now 12.5 years at my current agency, first 10 years in one center, last 2.5 in a different one.

lkapigian

Semi related I’ve had paying jobs since the 4th grade, first one was 4th grade through freshman year in high school throwing papers, back when you did it on a bike and you had to go door to door collecting 

Soon, I picked up extra routes, then started paying my sister $10.00 a month to fold my papers ( they were just dropped off in bundles ) so all I had to do when I got home was ride my bike. Not long after I hired a friend to do my collections at $20.00 a month

so way back when I had 2 on my payroll at $30.00 a month, strange how that translates into life later on , it taught me well